La Boite Theatre is opening its 2025 centenary season with an all female persons of colour lead reimagining of Macbeth, running from 6 to 22 March.

This production shifts the narrative from Macbeth's perspective to that of the Weird Sisters, transforming them from bystanders into the storytellers of Shakespeare's tragedy.

The three witches—played by Aunty Roxanne McDonald, Mel Ree, and Nicole Hoskins—take on every role in the play, challenging traditional interpretations of the text.

For Aunty Roxanne, a long-time La Boite collaborator, being part of the milestone production was both an honour and an exciting challenge.

"When I first heard about it, I thought, how are we going to do this version of 'Macbeth?" she said.

"Seeing as it's La Boite's 100-year celebration, they really wanted me in this first production of the year.

"That was really exciting and really honouring for me."

Stepping into the role of Witch One, Aunty Roxanne also plays other characters including King Duncan, a messenger, Lady Macbeth, and one of the murderers.

She said this approach required her to push herself as a performer.

"It's very different from what I'm used to playing," she said.

"Macbeth is a male-dominated play, so this version gives people the chance to hear the story told from a different perspective, through different voices and different bodies on stage."

The production is co-directed by La Boite Artistic Director Courtney Stewart and Lisa Fa'alafi, with former La Boite Artistic Director Sue Rider returning as dramaturg.

Mrs Fa'alafi, who also directed Eat Slay Zombie designed the set.

She said she was drawn to the project because of its all-women-of-colour cast.

"Shakespeare? Really? Me? But when they said the three witches would play all the roles, I thought, okay, this is interesting," Ms Fa'alafi said.

"That's pretty much why I signed up."

A visual storyteller known for her highly physical and movement-based work, Mrs Fa'alafi was given the opportunity to craft the world of Macbeth through its design as well.

She collaborated with Indigenous weavers, including Ranu James and Nata Richards from Papua New Guinea, and Maryann Talia Pau from Samoa, to create a striking Bilum canopy that forms the centrepiece of the set.

"I'm really proud of the work and can't wait for people to see it," she said.

"The theatre has this capacity to engage people in a visceral way—to make them feel something deeply.

"We're hoping this production does just that."

Mrs Fa'alafi also spoke about the deeper themes at play in the adaptation, particularly in its portrayal of power, conflict, and who ultimately bears the consequences.

"Brown women's bodies are the most affected by war, over and over again," she said.

"We hope audiences see that. We're trying to mirror back this cycle that our bodies bear the brunt of.

"Sometimes we see things on TV, and everyone's disconnected, but theatre can engage people differently."

For Aunty Roxanne, working with Ms Stewart and Mrs Fa'alafi has been a career highlight.

"They are so generous, they listen, and they want us to thrive," she said.

"It's been a dream to work with them.

"They create such a safe, open, and supportive space, and I think we've really built something special."

The team have streamlined Shakespeare's text into a 90-minute adaptation while preserving its original language.

Mrs Fa'alafi said she was especially excited for audiences to witness the connection between the three lead actors.

"The way Aunty Roxanne, Mel, and Nicole work together is something really special," she said.

"They're such a beautiful unit, and I can't wait for people to experience their ensemble and the way they bring this story to life."

With its official opening night having coincided with International Women's Day on 8 March, La Boite's Macbeth offers a fresh perspective on a classic text, reclaiming the story through the voices of women.

Tickets are available now.